The worst thing you can do for your productivity

About five minutes ago I committed a productivity blunder, I opened my web browser.

As soon as I fire up my web browser my muscle memory takes over. I begin typing in web addresses that have absolutely nothing to do with the task I actually went on the computer to perform and actually hold no interest to me other than they are the websites I *always* visit.

Inevitably one of those websites (Googlemail, Twitter, Facebook if you are interested) will give me some new input that I feel I must deal with. This time around it was a tweet that I knew a good friend of mine might appreciate so I shared it with her.

Trying to change my browsing habits isn't going to work in the short term, that is something I need to practice and get better at, so what I need to do is stop the chain of events before it even starts. I need to stop opening my web browser.

I am starting to think that I actually should have my WiFi turned off at all times except for when I actually need it. (side note - I have actually turned mine off now!).

There are plenty of tasks that require you to browse and get the latest information and that is fine but I wonder how many of those tasks are actually core to what you need to get done?

If you are creating content, do it offline. Go online to save and share the content.

If you are going through content you have bookmarked for research, bookmark it in something with an offline mode like Evernote.

If you are replying to emails do it offline so new emails don't come in and you can send your replies in bulk. (Another side note - I am trying out Opera Mail, I will report back with my thoughts)

Anyway, I have already spent enough time not doing the thing I wanted to do tonight! Peace!